Capsule-bending ring for the prevention of capsular opacification: a preliminary report

To report the preliminary results of a study on the preventive effect of the capsule-bending ring on anterior and posterior capsule opacification (ACO and PCO, respectively).

The ring is an open, band-shaped, circular polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) ring measuring 11 mm in diameter with pre-tension (13 mm in diameter when the ring is open), 0.2 mm in thickness, and 0.7 mm in width. To retain sharp edges, the ring is not polished. The sharp edges should create a sharp, discontinuous capsular bend in the fornix, which induces contact inhibition of migrating lens epithelial cells after cataract surgery. This capsule-bending ring is inserted into the capsular fornix following phacoemulsification, prior to the implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). In a multicenter trial, 100 patients were scheduled to undergo phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in both eyes within 1 month. The procedure was performed with the ring in 1 eye and without the ring in the other eye of each patient.

The anterior capsule was prevented from coming into contact with the IOL, and ACO was significantly reduced in the eyes with the ring, rendering the capsular opening larger 3 months after surgery. PCO was obviously reduced on slit-lamp examination in the follow-up period up to 6 months, but needs to be evaluated during a longer period.

This band-shaped, sharp-edged capsule-bending ring may be useful for cases that need good fundus visualization for photocoagulation or expected vitreoretinal surgery and for the prevention of PCO.